The European Society of Cardiology has issued its first guidelines dedicated to managing cardiovascular disease alongside chronic kidney disease, developed in partnership with the European Renal Association. The recommendations were published in the European Heart Journal and presented at ESC Congress 2026.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is diagnosed when abnormalities in kidney structure or function persist for at least 3 months and affect a person's health. An estimated 100 million people across Europe have CKD, and the condition substantially increases their risk of developing a range of cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
The Dangerous Link Between Heart and Kidney Disease
"The disability and lifetime lost to each disease are profound, but CKD can accelerate CVD and vice versa, resulting in cardiovascular events and the need for dialysis much earlier in life," said Task Force Chair, Associate Professor Kevin Damman from University Medical Centre Groningen, Netherlands. "The good news is that there have been major advances over the last few years, which mean there are now several simple treatments that can substantially lower the risk of both cardiovascular and kidney complications."
Because heart and kidney disease often occur together, the guidelines emphasize identifying kidney problems earlier in people already receiving treatment for cardiovascular disease.
